The Observation Deck

Given the recent conversation about how to build communities, I got to thinking more about it. I recently read an article about "cohousing", which has some potential. To read up on it, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cohousing

--Steve

We already have lots of nice condos in Lakewood.

I don't think many normal people would be too keen about sharing kitchens and other areas with other families, though, like they used to do in the early days of Birdtown. Perhaps people back then were more considerate of others than they are now. If you don't know what I mean, just ask anyone who has ever had roommate(s) for very long in Lakewood.

Doug

Siheyuan, or Chinese Courtyard Houses, overlap this idea. they are currently being torn down to make way for the development ideals of the Communist-Neo-Industrial powers that be.

In America, college residential dorms used to sometimes build along this ideal. But in the last few decades it has been necessary to remove most cooking and heating devices, to reduce risk of fire. The exception to this my friend's fraternity building at Kettering engineering school. I guess engineering students are less likely to burn the place down.

In Cleveland and Lakewood many of the larger homes/duplexes and smaller apartment buildings are conducive to extended family or many residents.

MTV even made several 'reality tv' series about multi-residence residencies.

In the mid 1700s the Scottish tried developing a new way of urban living. They invented - or reinvented - Condominiums in New Town, Edinburgh

The Brady Bunch managed to fit 9 people into a 3 or 4 bedroom house. It was 3 kids per room, a room for Mom and Dad, a room for Alice. Towards the end Greg took over Mike's Den, but they also had Joe Namath and cousin Oliver stop by.

I saw a piece about this on Discovery Health a few years ago and was fascinated. The show focused on a co-housing unit in Vancouver, BC. About 20 people lived there - assorted ages. They even shared a car.

I wondered (and still do) if anyone (would I?) in the States (specifically, NE Ohio) would ever go for this living arrangement.

Before World War II, many young white collar industrial workers lived in boarding room type houses in urban settings. I suppose this was a good way to save up money for weekend drinking or automobiles.

Clark Gable rented one in Akron while working at a tire company.

I thought Greg lived in the attic or the basement??? Remember the one episode where he hid the mascot of the other school? a goat?

If my memory serves me right, Greg made a deal to take over Mr.Brady's Den late in the series.

A Den was like a second tv room, without the tv. There was usually a liquor cabinet, a few guns in the bottom desk drawer, and a dart board.

ryan costa wrote:There was usually a liquor cabinet, a few guns in the bottom desk drawer, and a dart board.

Ryan

Also there was "He & She" about the guy and gal that could commit to marriage, so instead they "partnered" in the apartment. It featured the crazy board out the window to visit the neighbor. They also had guns in the drawers, both smoked.

The updated version was "Three's Company" with the "playboy" Jack Tripper living in sin with a host of gals over the 6 years they rented a pad from the Furley Family. What was most odd for this was Jack and the gals had no guns, but Furley had more than enough to make up for them.

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I thought you were thinking of Ned and Stacy, though perhaps you are thinking of Bonanza, or the workers' barracks on The Big Valley.

Jack Tripper lived with 2 women for 8 years. Their first landlord were The Ropers, followed by Mr.Furley. They hung out at The Regal Beagle. In one episode they decided to pool their money to buy a car, and it ended poorly.

The Reagle Beagle on Detroit near Rosati's?

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Also there was "He & She" about the guy and gal that could commit to marriage, so instead they "partnered" in the apartment. It featured the crazy board out the window to visit the neighbor. They also had guns in the drawers, both smoked.
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Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss were married in the series and in real life.

I don't remember the guns or the smoking, but I do remember the late, great Jack Cassidy.

I believe the Reagle Beagle on Detroit has an extra "a" so as to comply with Mr. Furley's attorneys.

Doug